This series includes materials that describe generally how the League of Women Voters emerged from Suffrage groups in the 1920s and also includes specific histories of the Local and State Leagues.

2. Administrative: Local Leagues, 1930–2013

Within this series, the correspondence subseries largely consist of letters to elected officials and civic groups concerning policies supported by the League. The annual reports document a variety of issues the League considered important, including environmental action, land use plans, and parks development in addition to work on the status of women. The “Look Books” outline general League procedures and platforms on a number of national and international issues, and the League Newsletters (The Bulletin) document the ongoing evolution of League stances on these issues. The Bulletin is a strong documentary source for all of the League’s actions.

Subseries A: Constitutions, Bylaws, and Policy Statements

Subseries B: Meeting Minutes, Agendas, and Programs

Subseries C: Correspondence

Subseries D: Annual Reports and Budgets

Subseries E: Membership Lists—General and Administrative

Subseries F: Newsletters

Subseries G: Orientation and Resource Materials

Subseries H: Publications

Subseries I: Public Relations

Subseries J: Administrative Binder Material (2013 Addition)

3. Voter Service Committee, 1958–2013

This series documents the actions of the Voters Service Committee, including being polling place observers, publishing a voter’s guide, registering voters, arranging for candidate forums, and instruction on how to use voting machines.

Subseries C: Events with Political Candidates and Election Activity Materials

Subseries D: Voters Guides

Subseries E: Officials Directories

Subseries F: Correspondence

4. Studies by Local Leagues, 1956–2012

This series includes information on League efforts to create a County Department of Parks and Recreation and a large amount of materials regarding the land use plan of Tippecanoe County. In addition to the miscellaneous studies, this series includes correspondence with local, state, and national leaders about various social and political issues.

Subseries A: Miscellaneous Studies

Subseries B: Resource Materials

5. Public Relations and Publicity, 1956–2004

Clippings in this series document public League activities, such as candidate debates, and stances on various issues. Scrapbooks in Subseries B are collections of clippings from local newspapers that mention the League of Women Voters.

Abstract

These records document activities and administration of the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette (formerly the League of Women Voters of West Lafayette and the Lafayette League of Women Voters).

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette records document the history and administrative actions of various League of Women Voters organizations in the Greater Lafayette area. Types of materials include correspondence, photographs, news clippings, administrative records, printed ephemera, programs, and financial records.

Biographical Note

In 1920, with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, The National American Woman Suffrage Association reformed itself as the League of Women Voters. State organizations, including Indiana’s, generally followed this reorganization pattern and the Tippecanoe County League of Women Voters was formed in April of 1920. Although the League’s first task was teaching newly enfranchised women the mechanics of registering and voting, it has evolved into a non-partisan political organization whose purpose is to encourage the informed and active political participation of all citizens. The State League had its third annual convention in Lafayette in 1922. Ada Whittredge (Ellsworth) Stuart was the first President of the Tippecanoe County League and also served on the State board. In 1956 the county league divided into two leagues: The Lafayette League of Women Voters and the League of Women Voters of West Lafayette to better serve their individual municipalities. However, in 1962 the Leagues merged back into one entity as The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette. Over the years, the League has researched, debated, and advocated for a variety of local social political issues, such as environmental concerns in the Wabash watershed, parks and recreation, public utilities, welfare, youth issues, neighborhood identity, zoning decisions, and education reforms.

Administrative Information

Repository:
Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

Alternate Extent Statement:
26 boxes (7 c.f., 18 mss, 1 media)

Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Source:
League of Women Voters/Elizabeth Doversberger

Preferred Citation:
MSP 55, League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette records, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Processing Information:
Materials are arranged topically into five series. All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and acid-free boxes. Photographs have been housed in polyester sleeves. Moldy materials in Series 2, Subseries A (1954–2003) and Series II, Subseries D (1956–1980) have been removed from the collection and replaced with photocopies on acid-free paper.